I use both of these cloths as well and like them. I wasn't aware that you couldn't bleach terry though, all my terry cloths are white and I bleach them with my other whites, and then I have blue microfibre cloths that I put in with my colours on warm with no bleach or fabric softner, then hang to dry, or sometimes just use wet right out of the dryer.

Is there any way you could just use the terry cloths for things that need to be sanitized, and save the microfibre cloths for dusting, etc.?

I was mine on high/hot and then hang them to dry... I'm figuring the hot water should do the trick itself.

Could you designate one or two specifically for 'meat' cleanup??? 'Sharpies' work wonderfully for permanent marking on most everything!

You only need about 1 TBS of bleach in a front loader to properly disinfect -- nowhere near what is suggested on the bottle. I doubt 1 TBS of bleach is enough to hurt your clothing.

Microfiber towels require somewhat special treatment. Commonly advised care: NO fabric softener, NO bleach, NO heat.

"Wash your microfiber in the washing machine with detergent only. Tumble them dry on low heat or no heat. High heat will literally melt the fibers while fabric softener and bleach will eliminate the electric charge that makes microfiber so effective. Avoid those three laundry habits, and your microfiber will last indefinitely."

Hanging towels in the sun will help sanitize them. Regular terry towels are sanitized by hot water wash and heat from the dryer.

Towels that have contact with meat juices - rinse in straight vinegar. Hang to dry and launder as usual. "The acetic acid in the vinegar is a good disinfectant, and its effective against such harmful bugs as E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus."

-Grainlady

Here is a link that might be useful: Microfiber Towels Defined

I use bleach all of the time on mine and they do just fine. You can also use vinegar or baking soda (but not both together)

Thanks for your answers, guys. I feel better now!

I use oxi and charlie's and hot water. Vinegar rinse. Usually hang to dry.